The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-25
THE TALK OF WAR.

Russian Preparations Continue to Cause
Great Uneasiness in Austria.
Special to the indianapolis journal.
LONDON, Dec. 24-The movements of the
Russian troops on the Russian frontier in spite
of all pacific assurances from St. Petersburg
still continue to cause good deal of uneasness
on the continent Several correspondents who
profess to have accurate information declare
that the concentration is too small for war and
too large for peace. But Russian military
movements are always mysterious. There is no
army list in Russia, and no certain means of
ascertaining either the strength of the corps
or the expenses incurred by the government
for military matters A bureaucracy
is advantage when it wishes
to conceal its military schemes from foreign
powers and in the of Russia it is never pos
sible for outsiders TO know when the movements
of troops are inspired by pacific motives, or
when they are the beginnings of concentration
intended ultimately for war. AS is we'll known,
Russia is compelled, owing to her wide extent
to commence her military preparations and CON
centration of troops on the frontier some time
before the actual declaration OF war. Before the
last Russo Turkish war the order for mobiiizing
six army corps was given in November, 1876
and the winter was occupied with mobilizations,
SO that the war might be de-
clared in the following spring What
Austrian and German statesmen are now asking
themselves is whether the present movement
may not also portend a declaration of war in the
coming spring. The concentration which is
taking place threatens Austria's weakest point
Competent military authorities have declared
their opinion that. in event of war between Aus
tra and Russia, Austria has no means at her
disposal to prevent Galicia from being immedi
ately overrun by Russian troops. 1t is computed
that Russia can bring three times as strong a
force to bear upon eastern Galicia as Austria
Hungary muster to oppose it. The Austrian
troops have railway connection with the
west and south, whereas the Russians
have several lines capable of reinforcing
their troops from south Russia. Il is hardly
surprising that the Vienna papers are camor-
ing for counter precautions on the Austrian
side OF the frontier, but their demands come
rather too late. the season is too far advanced
to permit the building of railroad lines in time
for spring campaign. if the rigorous
weather did not interfere with such work. The
precautions at present being taken by Austria
indicate that her military chiefs hopeless of
holding their frontier posts. and Will rely on
concentrating their whole available force a
point where the lines of communication with
the Austrian capital may be kept open without
the employment of a large force, and there
await attack from the Russians
European alarms have been raised so often
during the past year that they have ceased TO
be seriously regarded. but the sudden military
activity OF Russia following upon the known es-
arrangement between Russia and the central
powers can hardly be passed over. Lord Sails
bury, IN his speech this week was careful to say
that there was immediate" danger of war
but that statement could have been made with
nv tn1
with Galcia, general
would select the winter for beginning military
operations IN country where, in past years. the
inclemency OF the weather has proved more fatal
to troops than the cannons and bayonets of the
enemy. The fears of the English people have
not been quleted by the Premier's statement,
and they would like to know little more clearly
how far Lord Salisbury has committed them to
the alliance of the central powers.